COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 13, 2015

QUESTION NO.8

QUESTION: Councillor P. Foley

I understand there are currently 51 houses reported as derelict and under investigation. What options are available to the council to lease these derelict houses and make them available for needy families? It would seem that this option for gaining housing is a low cost solution and should be prioritised. Is that the case?

REPLY:

The Council's Enforcement and Licencing Division, Environmental Services Department is charged with enforcement of provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990

Currently a number of properties throughout the county are under investigation in accordance with the provisions of the Act, including 58 houses.  However this does not imply that those properties will be found to be derelict and / or ultimately be included in the Derelict Register maintained in accordance with Section  8 of the Act.

A total of four no. houses (privately owned) are currently included on the Derelict Sites Register and in accordance with provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 there are mechanisms available to acquire, either by agreement or compulsorily, any derelict site situated within the Council's functional area whci is included in the Register.

It should be noted however that the Register is fluid in that it is possible, and had been the case, that properties can be removed from the Register if appropriate measures are taken to abate the dereliction.    Therefore the potential for implementation of the provisions to acquire properties included in the register for housing purposes should not be relied upon, but will be examined.

The Council's Housing Department is working closely with the Housing Agency in respect of the proposed procurement of properties for social housing purposes from financial institutions.  If and where suitable units are identified and procured, the units will be allocated in accordance with the Council's Scheme of Letting Priorities to persons on the Housing Waiting List.